From professional functioning to personal confession [Elektronische Ressource] : Henri J. M. Nouwen's contribution to the contemporary spirituality of pastoral care / vorgelegt von Jose Thomas Karickal

Sujets

• Théologie

Informations

• Publié par: julius-maximilians-universitat_wurzburg
• Publié le: 01 janvier 2008
• Nombre de lectures: 16
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

FROM

PROFESSIONAL FUNCTIONING

TO

PERSONAL CONFESSION


Henri J.M. Nouwen’s contribution

to the contemporary spirituality of pastoral care





Dissertation zur Erlangung der Doktorwürde
der Theologischen Fakultät
der Bayerischen Julius-Maximilian-Universität Würzburg


vorgelegt von

P. Jose Thomas Karickal msfs
Aus Paravanthuruth, Kerala, Indien

am 20.10.06



Referent: Professor Dr. Rolf Zerfaß


Co-referent: Professor Dr. Erich Garhammer




Wintersemester 2006/2007




ACKNOWLEDGEMENT


A quick flash back into my past opens me to the realization that life is a journey in the true
sense of the word. A phase in this journey took me to Germany with the view of a doctoral
study in Theology. I had to finalise the area of the specialization after coming here and after
analysing the situation and the possibilities. The plan of God and the providence of God in
my life is somehow hidden or veiled but a true blessing in retrospect. I am grateful to my
parents, brothers and sisters for the first phase of my enriching and unforgettable life and
their continued love and support. My gratitude goes to my Congregation and all the
members with whom I had to do, especially Fr. Mani Panthalany, the then provincial of the
Visakhapatnam province to which I belong for the possibility of these studies and the
encouragement given to me. My special esteem and gratitude goes to Professor Rolf
Zerfass as well who without hesitation took me as his ‘Doctorand’ and guided and helped
me from the selection of the topic to the completion of this project. His popularity and busy
schedule did not mar a friendly relationship and a fatherly care. With his help the research
was a real dive into the academic depths and a hard search for the scientific quality of the
work. His patience and great interest in the work gave me the necessary strength in spite of
the hindrances and jerks I experienced on the way.

The most part of my studies I was staying in the Kollege St. Benedikt. I thank the
Benedictines for the hospitality and community. My study was possible only with the
scholarship of Church in Need in Germany, a partial financial help from the Henri Nouwen
Society in Holland and for the last phase of my studies a scholarship of the diocese,
Würzburg, Germany. I oblige a word of thanks to my parishioners in Saal, Wülfershausen
and Eichenhausen for their understanding and support, especially to Mrs. Marion Metzler
for the correction of the language. Many are close to my heart. Their spirit has also flown
into this work, but one person I would like to thank very specially, Mrs. Cornelia Wilhelm,
who stood by my side through ups and downs and inspired me with her critical and
constructive questions and ideas. Above all I thank God who protected and led me through
my life and made me to grow and mature in my spiritual life to which this work and the
heavenly spirit of Nouwen has contributed a lot.
Würzburg, Oktober 2006 P. Jose T. Karickal, msfs
Table of Contents

Acknowledgement
Table of Contents
General introduction ……………………………………………………….. 1
The Motivation for this research……………………………………………… 1
The aim of this research-work ……………………………………………….. 2
The method of the analysis……………………………………………………… 4
Material ………………………………………………………………… 6
The building up of the structure of the Dissertation…………………………… 6

Chapter 1 : Biography and Bibliography
Introduction

1.1. Biography …………………………………………………………….. 7
1.1.1. Childhood to Ordination …………………………………………. 8
1.1.2. Further Studies ……………………………………………………. 11
1.1.3. Teaching Career …………………………………………………... 12
1.1.4. The Final Station- Daybreak …………………………………….. 20

1.2. Early influences which shaped Nouwen’s thinking …………………… 24
1.2.1. Anton Boisen (1876 – 1965) 24
1.2.2. Seward Hiltner ………………………………………………… 25

1.3. A Sketch of Henri’s Person …………………………………………….. 26
1.3.1. Faithfulness to and continued search for his vocation ……………. 26
1.3.2. Nouwen, a restless Seeker ………………………………………….. 29
1.3.3. A wounded Prophet 30
1.3.4. Nouwen’s struggles with his Sexuality …………………………… 33
1.3.5. A generous and demanding Friend ………………………………… 34
1.3.6. Ups and downs ……………………………………………………. 36
1.3.7. An ardent Writer 37
1.3.8. The Priest – Psychologist…………………………………………… 39
1.3.9. A social Critic ……………………………………………………… 41 1.3.10. An intensive and sensible Preacher ………………………………… 42
1.3.11. Growing in Maturity ……………………………………………….. 43

1.4. A summary of the Bibliography ……………………………………… 46
1.4.1. Lectures and conferences 47
1.4.2. Journals and Diaries …………………………………………… 47
1.4.3. Meditations and prayers ……………………………………….. 47
1.4.4. Dedications ……………………………………………………. 47

1.5. Spreading the legacy of Nouwen ………………………………………… 47


Chapter 2 : The Academic Phase (1969 – 1981)

Introduction

2.1. Intimacy: Essays in Pastoraltheology ……………………………… 49
2.1.1. The Problem ……………………………………………………. 50
2.1.2. From magic to faith …………………………………………….. 50
2.1.3. Intimacy and sexuality 50
2.1.3.1. The taking form of love ……………………………….. 51
2.1.3.2. The forgiving form of love ……………………………. 51
2.1.3.3. The possibility of love 51
2.1.4. Intimacy and prayer ……………………………………………….. 52
2.1.5. Intimacy and community …………………………………………. 52
2.1.6. Intimacy and ministry …………………………………………….. 53
2.1.6.1 Time …………………………………………………….. 53
2.1.6.2. Place
2.1.6.3. Person ………………………………………………… 54
2.1.6.4. Professional identity ……………………………………
2.1.7. Training for the ministry ……………………………………….. 54
2.1.7.1. Efficiency and skill 54
2.1.7.1.1. Climate ……………………………………. 54
2.1.7.1.2. Word ……………………………………… 55
2.1.7.1.3. Home 2.1.7.2. Training …………………………………………… 55
2.1.8. The spirituality of the minister …………………………………… 55
2.1.8.1. Silence ……………………………………………….. 56
2.1.8.2. Friendship …………………………………………….
2.1.8.3. Insight ………………………………………………. 56

Observations ………….………………………………………………… 56

2.2. With open Hands (1971 – in Dutch) …………………………………… 58
2.2.1. Our clenched fists ……………………………………………… 58
2.2.2. Prayer and silence 58
2.2.3. Prayer and acceptance …………………………………………… 59
2.2.4. Prayer and hope ………………………………………………… 59
2.2.5. Prayer an compassion ……………………………………….. 59
2.2.6. Prayer an prophetic criticism …………………………………… 60

Observations ……………………………………………………………. 60

2.3. The Pastoral Spectrum in Creative Ministry (1971)……………………… 63
2.3.1. Teaching: Beyond the transference of knowledge ………………. 64
2.3.1.1. Teaching as a violent process …………………………… 65
2.3.1.1.1. Competitive ……………………………… 65 2.3.1.1.2. Unilateral ………………………………… 65
2.3.1.1.3. Alienating 65
2.3.1.2. Teaching as a redemptive process ……………………….. 65
2.3.1.2.1. Evocative …………………………………. 65 2.3.1.2.2. Bilateral ………………………………….. 66
2.3.1.2.3. Actualizing ………………………………. 66
2.3.1.3. The resistance to learning 66
2.3.1.3.1. A wrong supposition ………………………. 66
2.3.1.3.2. False pressure …………………………… 66
2.3.1.3.3. Horror of self-encounter ……………….. 66

2.3.2. Preaching: Beyond the retelling of the story ……………………….. 67 2.3.2.1. The problem of the message …………………………….. 67
2.3.2.1.1. Redundancy of the message ……………….. 67
2.3.2.1.2. Fear of the truth ………………………… 67
2.3.2.2. The problem of the messenger ………………………….. 67
2.3.2.2.1. Assumption of non-existent feelings ……… 68
2.3.2.2.2. Preoccupation with a theological point if view 68
2.3.2.3. The preacher who can lead to insight ……………………. 68
2.3.2.3.1. The capacity for dialogue …………………. 68
2.3.2.3.2. Availability ……………………………….. 68
2.3.3. Individual pastoral care: Beyond the skilful response ……………… 69
2.3.3.1. Spirituality and pastoral identity ………………………… 69
2.3.3.1.1. Self-affirmation …………………………. 69
2.3.3.1.2. Self-denial ……………………………..
2.3.3.2. Spirituality and pastoral relationship ……………………. 69
2.3.3.2.1. Contract …………………………………… 70
2.3.3.2.2. Covenant 70
2.3.3.3. Spirituality and pastoral approach ………………………. 70
2.3.3.3.1. Role-definition …………………………… 70
2.3.3.3.2. Contemplation ……………………………. 70
2.3.4. Organising: Beyond the manipulation of structures ……………… 71
2.3.4.1. The pitfalls of the organiser …………………………….. 71
2.3.4.1.1. The danger of concretism ………………… 71
2.3.4.1.2. The danger of power ……………………. 71
2.3.4.1.3. The danger of pride ……………………… 72
2.3.4.2. Christian agent of social change ………………………… 72
2.3.4.2.1. The perspective of hope …………………… 72
2.3.4.2.2. Creative receptivity ………………………. 72 2.3.4.2.3. Shared responsibility ……………………… 73
2.3.5. Celebrating: Beyond the protective ritual.
2.3.5.1. How do we celebrate life …………………………….. 74
2.3.5.1.1. Affirming ……………………………….. 74
2.3.5.1.2. Remembering ……………………………
2.3.5.1.3. Expecting ………………………………. 75
2.3.5.2. What kin